Penn State coach Bill O'Brien said Tuesday he expects one regular on defense to return to action and another one to sit out the Nittany Lions' Big Ten opener Saturday at Indiana (noon, TV-Big Ten Network).

Linebacker Mike Hull, who hasn't played in three weeks because of a knee injury, is scheduled to play against the Hoosiers. Hull was injured in the opener against Syracuse, missed one game and saw limited action against Central Florida Sept. 14.

"He has an impact on the defense," O'Brien said of Hull. "He brings a toughness to our football team. It looked to me that he was moving around better (Monday). He feels better.

"He's a tough guy and a Penn State linebacker. It's good to have him back in there."

Safety Ryan Keiser, who injured his hand against Kent State Sept. 21, will not play against Indiana. O'Brien said Keiser could "possibly" be back for the Michigan game Oct. 12 at Beaver Stadium. Alex Butterworth, the punter, will hold for kicker Sam Ficken.

With Hull returning and Keiser sitting, Stephen Obeng-Agyapong could see more playing time at safety. Obeng-Agyapong has played mostly at linebacker since Hull's injury.

•First bye week: Penn State coach Bill O'Brien said he thought the Nittany Lions had a productive bye week, the first of two they'll have this season.

Their next one comes the week of Oct. 19, after they play Indiana and Michigan.

"We pushed them pretty hard last week," O'Brien said. "Last year during our bye week we practiced three times. Last week we practiced four times, and three of those practices we were in full pads.

"We went through a longer Monday practice this week because we had the bye week."

•Defending Barnes: Penn State defensive end Deion Barnes might have one-half sack in four games, but coach Bill O'Brien remains in his corner.

Barnes, a sophomore, led the team with 10 sacks last season and was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year.

"I think people (opponents) have paid attention to him," O'Brien said. "You're not going to let him disrupt the game so you're going to make sure you chip him or put a tight end over him. He's fine."

O'Brien later said on the Big Ten coaches teleconference that he and defensive coordinator John Butler will try to give Barnes more one-on-one matchups.

"We'll do things with him," O'Brien said. "We'll move him around to help him out."

•Lehman update: Penn State tight end Matt Lehman continues his recovery from knee surgery and could petition the NCAA for another year of eligibility.

Lehman was injured in the opener against Syracuse and will miss the rest of the season.

"He's a great kid," coach Bill O'Brien said. "As far as a sixth year goes, it's hard for me to comment on that because it's such a complicated deal. You have to basically prove to the NCAA that you deserve a sixth year.

"It has to do with personal background, injury background and transfer because he was at Shippensburg. Obviously we're looking into it, and we would love for it to work out.

"If it doesn't work out I think he has a chance to play at the next level (NFL). He's 6-7, 260. He's tough. He can run. He can catch, so one way or another he'll be playing football somewhere next year."